# US 10,768,709 B2 · Display operator control unit and method for displaying additional instructions on a display unit > Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt - Number: US 10,768,709 B2 - Document ID: US10768709B2 - Status: Granted - Kind: B2 - Application number: 15/107,789 - Filed: 2014-12-10 - Published: 2016-11-03 - Granted: 2020-09-08 - Earliest claimed: 2014-01-06 - Assignees: Volkswagen Aktiengesellschaft - Applicants: Volkswagen AG - Inventors: Holger Wild; Mark Peter Czelnik - Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US10768709B2 ## CPC - G06F 3/017: {Gesture based interaction, e.g. based on a set of recognized hand gestures (interaction based on gestures traced on a digitiser G06F3/04883)} - B60K 35/10: Input arrangements, i.e. from user to vehicle, associated with vehicle functions or specially adapted therefor - G06F 3/0482: Interaction with lists of selectable items, e.g. menus - G06F 3/04883: for inputting data by handwriting, e.g. gesture or text - G06F 3/167: {Audio in a user interface, e.g. using voice commands for navigating, audio feedback} - G09G 5/003: {Details of a display terminal, the details relating to the control arrangement of the display terminal and to the interfaces thereto (specific for a CRT G09G1/165; for a flat panel G09G3/2092)} - B60K 2360/141: Activation of instrument input devices by approaching fingers or pens - G09G 2380/10: Automotive applications - G06F: ELECTRIC DIGITAL DATA PROCESSING (computer systems based on specific computational models G06N) - B60K: ARRANGEMENT OR MOUNTING OF PROPULSION UNITS OR OF TRANSMISSIONS IN VEHICLES; ARRANGEMENT OR MOUNTING OF PLURAL DIVERSE PRIME-MOVERS IN VEHICLES; AUXILIARY DRIVES FOR VEHICLES; INSTRUMENTATION OR DASHBOARDS FOR VEHICLES; ARRANGEMENTS IN CONNECTION WITH COOLING, AIR INTAKE, GAS EXHAUST OR FUEL SUPPLY OF PROPULSION UNITS IN VEHICLES - G09G: ARRANGEMENTS OR CIRCUITS FOR CONTROL OF INDICATING DEVICES USING STATIC MEANS TO PRESENT VARIABLE INFORMATION (arrangements for transferring data between digital computers and displays G06F3/14; static indicating arrangements comprising an association of a number of separate sources or light control cells G09F9/00; static indicating arrangements comprising integral associations of a number of light sources H01J, H01K, H10H, H05B33/12; scanning, transmission or reproduction of documents or the like, e.g. facsimile transmission, details thereof H04N1/00) ## Abstract A display operator control unit, a propulsion means, and a method for displaying additional instructions relating to display elements displayed on a display unit. The method detects an input in a first input region in front of the display unit and, in response thereto, outputs a first instruction relating to a first display element and a second instruction relating to a second display element. The method also detects an input in a second input region in front of the display unit and, in response thereto, suppresses the second instruction relating to the second display element. ## Claims ### Claim 1 A method for displaying additional indications relating to display elements displayed on a display unit having a display screen in a vehicle, the method comprising: detecting by infrared emission sensors an input implement in a first input region in front of the display unit having the display elements shown thereon and, in response thereto, outputting a first indication relating to a first display element and a second indication relating to a second display element; and further detecting by the sensors the input implement in a second input region in front of the display unit having the display elements, the first indication and second indication displayed thereon and, in response thereto, suppressing the second indication relating to the second display element, wherein the first indication continues to be displayed; further detecting by contact of the input implement with the display screen a third input by which a selection associated with the first indication can be made; detecting a position of a user of the input implement relative to the display unit; and displaying functions and providing rights to the user based on whether the position of the user is that of a driver or a passenger; wherein a spacing of the first input region from the display unit is greater than a spacing of the second input region from the display unit, and wherein a spacing of the second input region from the display unit is greater than 0 mm. ### Claim 2 (depends on 1) The method of claim 1, wherein the indication comprises at least one of a symbol, a text and a voice output. ### Claim 3 (depends on 1) The method of claim 1, further comprising: detecting a transfer of the input implement from a part of the second input region assigned to the first display element into a part of the second input region assigned to the second display element and in response thereto, outputting the second indication relating to the second display element and suppressing the first indication relating to the first display element. ### Claim 4 (depends on 1) The method of claim 1, wherein the displaying of the first indication and of the second indication occurs only after a dwelling of the input implement in the first input region or second input region for a minimum period. ### Claim 5 (depends on 1) The method of claim 1, further comprising: detecting a position of a user of the input implement relative to the display unit; and selecting a content suppressing the first indication and the second indication, or both depending on the position. ### Claim 6 (depends on 1) The method of claim 1, wherein at least one of the first display element and the second display element has/have each been assigned to differing function ranges from the list comprising: navigation map, destination information, outside temperature, air-conditioning/heating settings, seat settings, reversing camera, light settings, weather information at the location, weather information at the destination, media information of the current source, in particular radio, media, operating indications/tips, images, slideshow, calendar information, fuel-saving tips, off-road settings. ### Claim 7 A display control unit in a vehicle comprising: a display unit having a display screen; a control unit; and a processing unit, wherein the display unit displays indications and display elements, wherein the control unit detects by infrared emission sensors an input implement in at least one of a first input region and a second input region in front of the display unit, and wherein the processing unit is connected to the display unit and to the control unit, and the display control unit executes a method comprising: detecting by the sensors an input implement in the first input region in front of the display unit having the display elements shown thereon and, in response thereto, outputting a first indication relating to a first display element and a second indication relating to a second display element; and further detecting by the sensors the input implement in the second input region in front of the display unit having the display elements, the first indication and second indication displayed thereon and, in response thereto, suppressing the second indication relating to the second display element, wherein the first indication continues to be displayed; further detecting by contact of the input implement with the display screen a third input by which a selection associated with the first indication can be made; and detecting a position of a user of the input implement relative to the display unit; and displaying functions and providing rights to the user based on whether the position of the user is that of a driver or a passenger; wherein a spacing of the first input region from the display unit is greater than a spacing of the second input region from the display unit, and wherein a spacing of the second input region from the display unit is greater than 0 mm. ### Claim 8 (depends on 7) The display control unit of claim 7, wherein the display control unit is a user interface of a locomotion device. ### Claim 9 (depends on 7) The display control unit of claim 7 wherein the indication comprises at least one of a symbol, a text and a voice output. ### Claim 10 (depends on 7) The display control unit of claim 7 wherein the method executed by the display control unit further comprises: detecting a transfer of the input implement from a part of the second input region assigned to the first display element into a part of the second input region assigned to the second display element and in response thereto, outputting the second indication relating to the second display element and suppressing the first indication relating to the first display element. ### Claim 11 (depends on 7) The display control unit of claim 7 wherein the displaying of the first indication and of the second indication occurs only after a dwelling of the input implement in the first input region or second input region for a minimum period. ### Claim 12 (depends on 7) The display control unit of claim 7 wherein the method executed by the display control unit further comprises: detecting a position of a user of the input implement relative to the display unit; and selecting a content, suppressing the first indication and the second indication, or both, depending on the position. ### Claim 13 (depends on 7) The display control unit of claim 7 wherein at least one of the first display element and the second display element has been assigned to differing function ranges from the list comprising: navigation map, destination information, outside temperature, air-conditioning/heating settings, seat settings, reversing camera, light settings, weather information at the location; weather information at the destination, media information of the current source, in particular radio, media, operating indications/tips, images, slideshow, calendar information, fuel-saving tips, off-road settings. ### Claim 14 A vehicle including a display control unit comprising: a display unit having a display screen; a control unit; and a processing unit, wherein the display unit displays indications and display elements, wherein the control unit detects by infrared emission sensors an input implement in at least one of a first input region and a second input region in front of the display unit, and wherein the processing unit is connected to the display unit and to the control unit, and the display control unit executes a method comprising: detecting by the sensors an input implement in the first input region in front of the display unit having the display elements shown thereon and, in response thereto, outputting a first indication relating to a first display element and a second indication relating to a second display element; and further detecting by the sensors the input implement in the second input region in front of the display unit having the display elements, the first indication and second indication displayed thereon and, in response thereto, suppressing the second indication relating to the second display element, wherein the first indication continues to be displayed; further detecting by contact of the input implement with the display screen a third input by which a selection associated with the first indication can be made; and detecting a position of a user of the input implement relative to the display unit; and displaying functions and providing rights to the user based on whether the position of the user is that of a driver or a passenger; wherein the first indication continues to be displayed, and wherein a spacing of the first input region from the display unit is greater than a spacing of the second input region from the display unit, and wherein a spacing of the second input region from the display unit is greater than 0 mm. ### Claim 15 (depends on 14) The vehicle of claim 14 wherein the indication comprises at least one of a symbol, a text and a voice output. ### Claim 16 (depends on 14) The vehicle of claim 14 wherein the method executed by the display control unit further comprises: detecting a transfer of the input implement from a part of the second input region assigned to the first display element into a part of the second input region assigned to the second display element and in response thereto, outputting the second indication relating to the second display element and suppressing the first indication relating to the first display element. ### Claim 17 (depends on 14) The vehicle of claim 14 wherein the displaying of the first indication and of the second indication occurs only after a dwelling of the input implement in the first input region or second input region for a minimum period. ### Claim 18 (depends on 14) The vehicle of claim 14 wherein the method executed by the display control unit further comprises: detecting a position of a user of the input implement relative to the display unit; and selecting a content, suppressing the first indication and the second indication, or both, depending on the position. ### Claim 19 (depends on 14) The vehicle of claim 14 wherein at least one of the first display element and the second display element has been assigned to differing function ranges from the list comprising: navigation map, destination information, outside temperature, air-conditioning/heating settings, seat settings, reversing camera, light settings, weather information at the location; weather information at the destination, media information of the current source, in particular radio, media, operating indications/tips, images, slideshow, calendar information, fuel-saving tips, off-road settings.